Chapter 36: Queen Kaori
It was about a week after Kaori's birthday. Sesshomaru was informed one day that his lands were under attack by fox demons in the opposing lands and gave his wife a kiss goodbye before rushing off to the past. Kaori sat on the couch, comfortably stretched out on the couch reading a sappy, romantic novel she loved. Sesshomaru hated all this lovey, dubby stuff unless she was doing it to him, so she usually tried not to read it around him. She yawned, turning the next page. Before she knew it, her eyes closed and she fell asleep. As she fell asleep, a key turned in the door and a male walked in, a huge smile on his face. What a lovely surprise for Kaori. He knew it had been too long since he had seen his dear Kaori, and he just recently remembered she had a birthday. He came over to the couch to find a book on her chest, her eyes closed. She was fast asleep. Exactly how he loved her. He kissed her forehead and patted her hair. Walking up the steps while avoiding the squeaking stair, he entered her room. Just how he remembered it. He folded the sheet down and crawled into the bed he used to share with his beloved. If only she was with him. He sighed and closed his eyes. How much he loved to be back with his lovely Kaori. He just hoped her love continued like his did.
Kaori's eyes fluttered open and she found her book on her chest. Placing her bookmark in her place, she yawned while heading over to the dishes. She was, um, slightly busy the night before and had forgotten to do the dishes that morning. Running the water and putting the soap in, she started washing the dishes, humming lowly while she did. She didn't sense any demons nearby, so Sesshomaru hadn't returned while she slept. She smiled when she heard the front door slammed shut and a familiar presence washed over her.
"I'm home," Sesshomaru called out.
"I'm in the-" Kaori started until a strong smell of blood filled the room. She twirled around, sending water across the floor. Sesshomaru stood with a large bandage around his arm. "Oh my god!"
Kaori rushed over to him and lightly inspected his arm after rinsing and drying off her hands. It didn't seem too much damaged and Sesshomaru didn't seem to mind it, but Kaori was worried sick. She led him to the couch and checked it over continuously. He told her he was all right, but Kaori was still worried.
"Kaori, sweetie, what is the matter?" Someone said at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing his eyes. Sesshomaru and Kaori looked over at the man. Kaori's eyes went wide and her mouth was open in a silent scream. He had returned when she slept?
"Who are you?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"No, Sesshomaru. Don't," Kaori said. Sesshomaru looked suspiciously at Kaori. "That's... Jake."
"Dear, you remembered! I'm so glad. Why do you have a friend over?" Jake asked, sitting next to Kaori, taking her hands into his and his lap. Kaori pulled her hands away and purposely hid her rings from Jake.
"Sesshomaru, meet my fiance, Jake," Kaori said, her eyes and face down.
"Fiance?" Sesshomaru asked, looking at Jake with a glare. "How is this possible?"
"Uh, Sesshomaru, I'll explain later," Kaori said, standing up. "I forgot completely that I was planning on going to the doctor's, so if you don't mind."
"Kaori, what is-" Sesshomaru started, but the pain in his arm stopped him. Kaori sat back down and touched him slightly.
"You really shouldn't move," Kaori said.
"Why would you care about him? Dear, I'm your fiance," Jake said, pulling her by her waist into his lap.
Sesshomaru just smiled. "I'm her husband," Sesshomaru said, looking at Jake straight in the face.
"Yeah, right," Jake said, stroking Kaori's hair.
"You do not touch her," Sesshomaru said, pulling Kaori into his chest.
"Stop! I'm not a possession. I was his fiance and I am his husband. Simple as that," Kaori said, standing up. "Now, if you don't mind-" Kaori started but both men stood next to her and she sighed. It wouldn't be that simple, especially with Jake and Sesshomaru.
"His husband! How is it possible?" Jake demanded, taking her arm.
"It's possible! She loves me longer than you have been alive!" Sesshomaru growled.
"She loves me stronger than you, ever!" Jake yelled.
"STOP!" Kaori yelled, causing both men to freeze. "I'm sick of this!"
"Kaori-" Both men started, but Kaori held her hands up.
"Shut up! Now," Kaori ordered. She turned to Jake. "You left me for the army! I could easily go out to find another love, and guess what, I DID! Get over it, like I did!"
"But, you said you would wait for me. Forever, right?" Jake told her, touching her shoulder.
"I guess I did say that... But Jake, I'm sorry. I just, I just, I love Sesshomaru. And, well, we are married," Kaori told Jake, her head hanging.
"Don't feel sorry for this guy. He missed out on a perfect girl. His fault. I would never go somewhere without you," Sesshomaru told Kaori, pulling her to his side.
"You do not tell me that. Where did you just go? WITHOUT ME?" Kaori said, turning to Sesshomaru, her hands on her hips. "I just want to be alone, ok? Without any of you."
Kaori walked around Jake and headed upstairs. Surprising both men, she went to the bathroom instead of her room. Sesshomaru started to get curious, but Jake distracted him.
"She loved me with her entire heart!" Jake started, his arms crossed.
"Humans would never know how much a woman would love a man. I, on the other hand, do," Sesshomaru said, his nose turning up.
"You're demon, aren't you?" Jake asked, his hands changing to hold his hips. "She always had a thing for your type."
"My type?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Break it up, you two!" Yori said, stepping between the guys from over the couch. "Jake, over there. Sesshomaru, over there!"
The men walked separate ways and stood, their arms crossed. Both glared, but Sesshomaru got tired of that game and looked up at the bathroom. Had Kaori come out while he was preoccupied? Or was she still in there? Was she all right?
Sesshomaru was flicked on the head by Yori.
"Keep focused," she told him.
"Step away before I kill you," Sesshomaru said.
"You're not killing anyone, Sesshomaru. I'll return soon. Try to survive, both of you," Kaori said, her backpack over her shoulders.
"Are you all right?" Sesshomaru asked, grabbing her arm.
"Don't touch her!" Jake ordered.
"I'll touch my wife whenever I want to!" Sesshomaru yelled. He turned back to Kaori and changed his tone to a more caring one. "What's the matter?"
"I'll tell you later, ok dear?" Kaori said, giving him a peck on the cheek and swiftly leaving his grasp. He just watched her jump through the well. He counted to ten and followed her. Jake's mouth was opening and closing like a fish, but by the time he found something to say, Sesshomaru was gone.
"Jake, it's all right," Yori said.
"When did you get here?" Jake asked
"Well, I heard the commotion over here and knew you were back. I thought maybe Kaori would need my assistance, and glad I did come over," Yori said, turning away. Jake saw the sun from the window hit her at a great point and before he knew what had happened, he had grabbed Yori's arm and twirled her to kiss her. She returned it. She had always had a thing for the boy, but seeing that he was Kaori's fiance, she would never make a move on him. She smiled and one thing turned into another and before long, both were only being covered by a quilt Yori got from the closet.
Meanwhile, in a secluded area of the forest, Kaori was searching for Kaeda's hut. How was it every time they visited her hut, they knew exactly how to get back, but at the moment, Kaori was completely lost?
She sighed and took a drink from her water bottle. Where was Sesshomaru when she needed him?
"Kaori, come over here," Sesshomaru yelled, his arms crossed and leaning against a tree.
"Sesshomaru! How did you get here? How did you find me? What about Jake?" Kaori bombarded with questions.
"You were lost. I'll help you find your way," he told her, taking her hand and leading her the right direction.
Kaori looked around her nervously. The presence of millions, maybe billions of demons surrounded them. Sesshomaru halted along with Kaori. He also sensed them.
"Out of all the times in the world-" Sesshomaru started, but had to pull Kaori out of the way of a poison bullet from a demon.
"Thanks," Kaori said, smiling nervously up at him.
Hissing could be heard by the demons around them.
"Kaori, we might be in big trouble now," Sesshomaru said, pulling her closer to his body.
"Ya think?" Kaori said, looking around. She really didn't want to be battling these demons unarmed.
"Kaori, take my Tenseiga and run, understood?" Sesshomaru told Kaori, unhitching the sword from his belt.
"But what about you?" Kaori asked.
"I'll be fine," he told her.
"But your injury!" Kaori said. He completely forgot about that. His father had died when his wound had not healed and went into battle.
"Bad idea," Sesshomaru said, and turned from the sound of something flying towards him. If it wasn't for Kaori's power, he would have been dead. The arrow containing a yellow, bubbling acid burnt almost immediately. Kaori smiled at him and then turned, looking around her as much as possible. If she was lucky, maybe they would back off. As usual, luck was not on her side.
"Queen Kaori!" They all said in unison. Kaori thought that was good until someone yelled out, "CHARGE!"
Kaori did the logical thing; she ran. Sesshomaru looked behind him to find Kaori fleeing for her life.
"NO! Kaori get back here!" Sesshomaru yelled out to Kaori.
Kaori just ran, trying her best to survive. She skidded to a halt at the edge of a cliff. Great, more bad luck.
"Queen Kaori, how dare you show yourself on these lands!" Someone yelled out. A human looking woman walked forward, a bow and arrow in hand. The arrow was aimed at Kaori, the yellow and bubbling acid on the arrow.
"I'm not her!" Kaori pled.
The arrow was shot and Kaori burnt it to a crisp.
"Really? How the hell would you explain your powers? Are you some sort of sorceress?" The woman said.
"Kill her anyways!" Someone in the trees yelled out.
"Prepare to die!" The woman yelled.
"Be gone, demons of the east!" Kaeda's voice demanded. Kaori saw the pink light of purification and added her powers.
"NO!" All the demons yelled as they died. Kaori contained her powers as she felt them edging towards Sesshomaru. She fell to her knees, panting. That took more than usual. Why? Perhaps because she had been running earlier.
"Kaori, are you all right?" Sesshomaru asked, kneeling next to her. He touched her arm and then took it back almost immediately. He moved it to her forehead and then pressed his cheek to her forehead. "Come on."
He picked her up and held her close, hurrying to the village.
"What's the matter?" Kaori asked.
"You're burning up. Intensely," he told her, arriving almost immediately, Kaeda, who had sensed him fly over her, hot on his heels.
"Put her down and get me some cool water from the river. Hurry!" Kaeda said, limping into the hut. Kaori laid on a blanket, sweating.
"I feel just fine," Kaori said.
"Stay still, child. Be silent," Kaeda instructed. Kaori did as she was told.
Kaeda's hands hovered over Kaori's abdominal section and the old priestess closed her eyes.
"Not again," Kaeda whispered, opening her eyes and taking her hands back.
"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked, a bucket of water in hand.
"Sesshomaru-sama, place the towel on her forehead. Keep it cool," Kaeda told Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru did that, allowing Kaori to rest her head in his lap.
"Now, what is it?" Sesshomaru asked.
"She is pregnant, again. But it seems the child is dying. Slowly, unfortunately. As soon as it dies, it most likely will disappear. Only allow it to finish its process. Seeing that she isn't squirming or in pain, we must just wait," Kaeda told Sesshomaru, gathering her bag and leaving.
"Pregnant?" Sesshomaru asked to no one in particular. Kaori seemed to lose consciousness while Kaeda explained the situation. "Second one lost. What will happen next time? If there is even a next time."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run off. I didn't mean to kill the child again," Kaori whispered, a few tears running down her face silently.
"You didn't kill the child. It was just fate. We must wait a little while, so just rest. This will all be over and we'll return to your village to get Rin and Jaken and head to Queen Kaori's palace. We need to settle everything now. I can no longer take it anymore," he told her, wiping the tears away along with some wet strands of hair.
"Why bring Jaken and Rin?" Kaori asked in a very light whisper.
"It'll give me the last time with them," Sesshomaru said. "I'll leave them to live their own lives once we deal with Queen Kaori. Everything will add up."
Kaori gave the slightest nod and fell into a slumber.
Of course, the world was black. She sighed and sat up in her dreams.
"Mama, mama," Someone said into the darkness.
"Who said that?" Kaori said, looking around. A mist showed up and the outline of a female. She wore some tight clothing, like in Kaori's time. "Yori?"
"No, mama. It's me, Joo-yun. Your daughter," the figure said. Coming into view, Kaori gasped. She was so beautiful. And she was her daughter?
"Joo-yun?" Kaori asked, standing up. She was embraced by Joo-yun.
"Mama, please don't let me die. Sister and Brother have already risked their lives for you. I want to see light, mama. Please," Joo-yun begged, crying into Kaori's shoulder.
"I'll... I'll try. My best. But, how do you know if I'll even become pregnant again?" Kaori asked, rubbing the young woman's back.
"I know, mama. I just know. Please, follow papa's instructions. Do as he says. Follow orders. Be safe," Joo-yun said. "Please mama."
"Sure," Kaori said. She held the young woman for a while until she awoke. Kaori sat up and felt Sesshomaru trying his best to be of any assistance.
"Is there anything I can do?" Sesshomaru asked. Kaori looked up to Sesshomaru, looking at both of his eyes. His amber, beautiful eyes.
"Sesshomaru," Kaori said in a whisper. He was attentive. "Let's try again."
"Right now?" Sesshomaru asked, moving back a little bit.
Kaori nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Don't you think it's a little soon? I mean, we just lost the second one," Sesshomaru said. "And we have even more problems than what we've been experiencing."
"I'll stay in my time as soon as we find out I'm pregnant. I'll be safe. I'll listen to you. I'll follow orders. I'll do anything," Kaori said, leaning into his shoulder with more force. He wrapped his arms around Kaori.
"Sure, Kaori. But we aren't going to surround you with ten million guards or anything. Just be safe. Your time is a good idea, if you aren't out after dark," Sesshomaru said, rubbing small circles on her lower back.
"Make love to me, Sesshomaru. Please," Kaori begged.
"Sure," Sesshomaru said, placing a very delicate kiss on her lips. He didn't want it to be like other times. He wanted this time to be more loving and caring and considerate than pleasure. Sure enough, he accomplished his goal.
She laid in his arms, taking in all the warmth he offered for her. His hands rubbed her arms. Kaori lifted her hands to entwine her fingers with his. A blanket covered them in case they had any visitors. Kaori was glad they had covered up, for Kaeda came in to check on them and found them nearly dozing off in the corner of the hut. She smiled and left the couple to be alone.
"Sesshomaru?" Kaori asked in a light whisper, her eyes closed.
"Yes?" Sesshomaru asked, taking one of his hands and rubbing her shoulder while she rubbed her head against his chest for a little while.
"You would be there for the child and me, right?" Kaori asked.
"Always. I will risk my life for you and the child," he told her.
"What if we had twins? Or if we want to have more than one?" Kaori asked, looking up at him. He smiled down at her, looking into her eyes with sincerity.
"I will love them all equal, but you with the most," Sesshomaru said, placing a light kiss on her lips.
"That was more then expected," Kaori said, laying her head back on his chest. Her hand was squeezed playfully by Sesshomaru's.
"I'm glad," he told her.
"I love you," Kaori said, almost lost in a sea of comfort and relaxation.
"I love you too, Kaori," Sesshomaru said, kissing her head. He saw her smile before she fell asleep. "I will always love you."
"Sesshomaru-sama, you have visitors," Kaeda's voice said behind the door.
Sesshomaru looked down at Kaori and then at the door.
"Can they wait until tomorrow?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yes," Kaeda said and then it was silent. Sesshomaru rested his head on Kaori's and fell asleep.
The next morning, both were ready and prepared to search for Queen Kaori's palace. The guests that were going to bother Sesshomaru had left before Kaori and Sesshomaru left their hut. Kaeda just said they want to say hi and helped Kaori get ready for the journey. Kaeda gave Kaori all the archery supplies she needed and wished them good luck. Kaori thanked the old priestess and left with Sesshomaru to the east. They were met with some demons that tried to kill Kaori, but were destroyed instantly.
It took three days, but finally they found the place they first met Queen Kaori. But the thing was that they were knocked out and brought to the palace. So how would they be able to find where the palace was? Kaori looked around the cliff while Sesshomaru tried to find any sign of the Queen.
"Kaori, I don't think we'll be able to find her here," Sesshomaru said, coming out of the forest.
"Well, it's getting late, so let's rest at the village down there," Kaori said, pointing to the lights below the cliff.
"Sesshomaru. Kaori. You have returned..." Queen Kaori's voice could be heard.
"Where are you?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"Go east. My palace is there," Queen Kaori said. Kaori nodded and hurried to Sesshomaru's side.
"Well, I guess we didn't need to find her. She found us," Kaori said.
"Yes, she did. Let's hurry. We should find it before the moon is high in the sky, all right?" Sesshomaru said and walked forward with Kaori behind him. Kaori nodded and followed his every step.
It was a short while before the palace doors were shown. They opened on their own and Kaori and Sesshomaru walked next to each other while they entered. Both looked around, trying to find any traps, but neither found any.
"Sesshomaru, how have you been?" Queen Kaori asked, the cloak around her, but the hood down to show her face.
"Fine," Sesshomaru answered.
"And you, Kaori?" Queen Kaori asked. "Decided to follow your fate?"
Kaori looked at Queen Kaori and shook her head no.
"I don't want to follow that path. I've decided to stay normal. I want to live and die like a normal human," Kaori answered, her arm around Sesshomaru's.
"You aren't a normal human. Your powers and the ability not to give birth is not normal," Queen Kaori said.
"I can give birth. In fact, I've become pregnant twice," Kaori said.
"WHAT!" Queen Kaori exclaimed. King Sesshomaru came running.
"Kaori, Sesshomaru, what is the problem?" King Sesshomaru asked.
"We've declined your offer to become the rulers of this world," Sesshomaru explained. "We will now go."
"No! You can't decline! It's your destiny!" King Sesshomaru exclaimed.
"She can give birth!" Queen Kaori exclaimed. Her expression changed to a cruel one. "Guards. Attack. Aim for her abdominal area."
Kaori backed up and hid behind Sesshomaru. This wasn't what she expected.
"Wait!" Someone said in the shadows. "This can be to our advantage. That child should become the most powerful being in the world, huh? Kill her as well and the child will die."
"Naraku! You little-" Sesshomaru started but Kaori interrupted him.
"Child?" Kaori asked.
"Yes. You are pregnant now. So, if we were to kill you, the child will die as well, and you won't be able to take your destiny. Good for us all!" Naraku said, walking out of the shadows.
"Kaori, run!" Sesshomaru demanded, but Kaori and Sesshomaru were already surrounded by the guards.
"KILL HER!" Queen Kaori demanded.
Spears were aimed at Kaori were sent, but Sesshomaru responded quickly and the spears were snapped in half by his whip.
"TAKE YOUR ARROWS AND AIM THEM AT HER!" Queen Kaori demanded.
"I have a better idea," Naraku said. "Have King Sesshomaru attack her."
King Sesshomaru took out a sword, but Sesshomaru knew instantly that was not his Tokijin. These two were impostors of them! But how?
King Sesshomaru leaped behind Sesshomaru and left some room between him and Kaori.
"Now, I have a proposal for you. You kill the child on your own, or I kill both of you. Choose," King Sesshomaru said.
"Neither," Kaori chose.
"Then prepare to die!" King Sesshomaru warned, running towards Kaori. Her firewall showed up, and King Sesshomaru laughed. "Like that will stop me!"
He attempted to run through, but was burnt every time.
"Naraku, you bastard! You told me if I wore something that had been touched by the Tenseiga I could pass her fire!" King Sesshomaru yelled to Naraku.
"Kill him," Naraku demanded and the guards did as they were told. Kaori brought down her fire and turned her head into Sesshomaru back. The site was gruesome.
"Mama, protect me. Listen to Sesshomaru," Joo-yun was heard saying to Kaori.
"I will," Kaori whispered.
"Kaori, I need you to stay put. And keep your eyes closed," Sesshomaru said. Kaori nodded and closed her eyes. A loud growl was heard and air surrounded her, but nothing changed with her. Sesshomaru had transformed and startled both Naraku and Queen Kaori.
"He's a dog!" Queen Kaori exclaimed. Kaori was ready to open her eyes since she had seen Sesshomaru before as a dog, but she kept her eyes closed to listen to Sesshomaru's warning.
A whine was heard and a thud as Sesshomaru was hit by spears. He growled and flung his tail at the guards, knocking some of them unconscious. But the ones that were still conscious, they aimed arrows at Kaori and Sesshomaru.
A growl was heard as seven arrows aimed at Kaori. Sesshomaru was too far from Kaori to help her and the arrows that were in him were preventing him from getting her out of the way.
Kaori was hit by all seven arrows and grunted as each hit her. It was painful, but none of them hit the child, surprising all.
"Mama, you will heal, but papa will die if I don't help. I will help, mama. I will help," Joo-yun was heard saying and Kaori glowed with a pink light.
Sesshomaru barely saw it. The arrows in his body were making him lose blood and a lot of it. If he didn't do something fast, he was going to die. Luckily, Kaori's unborn child gave her priestess powers up and sent them towards Sesshomaru, healing his wounds instantly and giving him some extra strength. Sesshomaru stood on his paws and glared at Queen Kaori, his fangs bared. Kaori laid on the ground, a puddle of blood surrounding her. Her eyes fluttered open just as Queen Kaori was killed and Naraku fled. Sesshomaru transformed back to his human form and rushed over to Kaori, picking her head up off of the ground.
"Are you all right? Kaori?" Sesshomaru said, looking at her wounds. They looked deep.
"None hit the child," Kaori said.
She heard him sigh and he treated her wounds where she laid. The servants that had been hiding in the halls eventually ran towards Kaori to see if she was all right. All the guards and the queen and king were killed and Sesshomaru was ready to take out the servants, but they only offered him help, not a battle. Kaori eventually laid on a bed, laying next to Sesshomaru.
"Are you all right? Your wounds?" Kaori asked, her head resting on his chest.
"Our daughter saved us," Sesshomaru said. "Joo-yun."
"How do you know?" Kaori asked, opening her eyes and looking up at Sesshomaru.
"I heard her as she healed me. She sounds like a nice person," Sesshomaru said.
"Yeah. I think she is. She kept telling me to listen to you, for some reason," Kaori said.
"If you had opened your eyes, you would have seen my wounds and try to help me heal, then get attacked and lose the child," Sesshomaru explained.
"Oh," Kaori said, her eyes closing as she fell asleep. "But they was the oddest way I've ever found out of being pregnant. And by the way, where did Rin and Jaken go?"
"They were left at that village, remember?" Sesshomaru said, stroking her cheek.
"Lady Kaori! Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken's voice was heard as he entered the room. Sesshomaru looked to the imp as it entered with Rin right behind him. Rin wasn't as worried about the bed as Jaken was and just climbed into it, worried about Kaori.
"Is Lady Kaori all right? Will she be all right? What happened?" Rin asked, her small hands on Kaori's shoulder. Kaori mumbled something in her sleep.
"She's all right, Rin. She'll survive and she'll be all right. We just had a big fight with some people older than us," Sesshomaru tried to explain to Rin as much as possible without telling her the details.
"Naraku was here, wasn't he, my lord?" Jaken said, oddly climbing into the bed because of his height.
"Yes, Jaken. He was," Sesshomaru said.
"Naraku hurt Lady Kaori?" Rin asked, really worried.
"No. But someone he was controlling did," Sesshomaru explained. Kaori mumbled again and moved closer to Sesshomaru. "Kaori needs to rest, so leave."
Rin and Jaken left and Sesshomaru carefully left her grasp to explore the palace. They were staying here until Kaori was better. Perhaps they would stay here until she gave birth.
Sesshomaru nearly knew everywhere and almost every single servant and their jobs. He returned to the bedroom Kaori was staying at to find her at the closet looking at the kimonos that were in it. She pulled one out and looked at it. She found Sesshomaru at the doorway and looked up at him.
"Are you feeling better?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yeah, a bit. Still slightly dizzy," Kaori said and looked down at the kimono. "Do you think this one is nice?"
"Compared to what?" Sesshomaru asked and watched her bring out another. The first one was a light purple one that had pink petal designs on it. The second on was white and had a dog on both shoulders. He chose the second one and helped to tie the sash behind her.
"This has my name on it," Sesshomaru stated when he wrapped it around Kaori's waist.
"Yeah. I got it made just for you. I want to wear it the next time I wore a kimono. Surprisingly, it actually matches this one," Kaori said and felt him tie it behind her.
"That was very nice of you," Sesshomaru said placing a kiss on her cheek. "But by wearing this, many people will take the impression that you are my possession."
"Aren't I?" Kaori asked.
He kissed her lips lightly and helped her to the kitchen. She was completely lost, but once she smelt cooked meat, she rushed to the source. He sat next to her, watching her eat. Rin sat next to her on the other side and had some trouble eat the meat. Kaori was helpful and help the small child eat with chopsticks.
"Lady Kaori, I'm full," Rin said, holding her stomach.
"Ok. Please just call me Kaori, Rin. I don't call you Little Rin, do I?" Kaori asked.
"Can I call you mommy?" Rin asked. "You remind me so much of her."
Kaori smiled and nodded. Sesshomaru seemed somewhat surprised that Kaori would let her. They weren't technically a family, but Rin was allowed to call Kaori her mother.
"You need to get some sleep," Kaori said, straightening Rin's hair.
"I slept last night in the village," Rin answered.
"Still, you must be tired," Kaori said. Rin nodded slightly. "So how about you go to your room and sleep? Or just rest if you aren't tired?"
Rin smiled and nodded and left the table. Kaori smiled and watched the child leave. Jaken stood next to his lord's chair, waiting for any orders from his lord.
"Jaken, I haven't exactly taught you how to fight, have I?" Sesshomaru asked, looking down at the imp. Jaken shook his head slowly. "Let's go outside and I'll show you."
Jaken followed his lord, happy to actually have some time with his lord. But When Kaori followed, he scowled.
"She'll watch," Sesshomaru told Jaken. Jaken accepted it, but the smile she had was making Jaken suspicious.
Kaori sat at on a bench, watching Sesshomaru ball his fist as Jaken exited the palace.
"First rule, you must be ready to get injured. So, I'll hit you until you pass out," Sesshomaru said and before Jaken could react, three dozen bumps were on his head and he fell to the ground knocked out. "Pathetic."
"Don't you think you were a little too hard on him?" Kaori asked, standing next to Sesshomaru and looking down at the imp.
"I needed to take my vengeance. He made you cry one day, so he needed to be punished," Sesshomaru said.
"You are way too protective," Kaori sighed and walked away from Sesshomaru to explore the palace herself. Sesshomaru looked around the outside. Outside the east tower looked like a training ground. Seeing that he and Kaori hadn't trained in a while, he planned to take her there and start their training up again. But as soon as she started to show from the child, they would stop. He sighed. Maybe training wasn't a good idea. He still had no clue what was good or bad for a pregnant woman.
Kaori wandered the halls and was shocked at how many extra rooms there was. She eventually found the room she was looking for; the library. She didn't expect that it had that many books, and it didn't, but she loved to read and picked a book off the shelf. A love story. She smiled and fell into a chair, relaxing as she read the first few pages.
'Wow, this guy is really cold,' Kaori thought, turning the book over. She tended to read the end of a book, just to know how it ended up. She flipped through many blank pages until she found one that actually had writing on it.
She found him crying on the ground. Walking carefully to his side, she kneeled down, her hand on his back. She wiped the tears away on one side of his cheek.
"What's the problem, my love?" She asked.
"My mother... She's, SHE'S DEAD!" He cried out, leaning onto her shoulder.
"Your mother?" She asked.
"From my attack. When she tried to kill you," he told her.
Kaori smiled. Man, his mother must have been really protective of him to attack her. She continued reading, a smile on her face.
"I'm so sorry," she told him, straighten his hair. "I never meant for her death."
"Kaori, it's all right. I mean, she did try to kill us both," he said.
"I know. But, Sesshomaru, it was her time," she said.
Kaori dropped her book, her eyes wide. This wasn't a love story. It was her story!
"What's the matter?" Sesshomaru asked. He stood at the doorway, calmly and coolly.
"Nothing," Kaori said, getting the book quickly and putting it back on the shelf.
"What were you reading?" Sesshomaru asked, catching her wrist as she put it up. "No title, huh? What was it about?"
He took the book with his other hand and flipped through the pages.
"Seems long," he stated, slamming the book shut.
"It was nothing. Some, uh, love story," Kaori said, in a whisper, taking the book back and putting it back on the shelf. "You don't like those, don't you?"
"How about you read one to me? I mean, you are so very literate. I can read simple things, but those long stories you read are too much," he told her. Kaori picked up another book and looked at the title. Still none. Would this be another book of theirs?
"How about this?" Kaori asked, walking towards the chair. Sesshomaru beat her to it and allowed her to sit in his lap. She smiled and opened the book to the first page.
"He was beautiful. Silver hair that blew in the wind and with standing on that cliff, it was wonderful. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. But when he turned to me, I gasped. Amber eyes. He was a demon! They were feared by all, especially me. How was I supposed to act? Should I run back to the village? Would he follow me? I had no clue.
"He smiled at me and I gasped. Why was this demon smiling at me? Was he going to kill me where I stood? 'My name is Inu no Taisho. Yours?'
'Iza... Izayoi,' I stuttered. Did all demons ask what their prey's name was?
'Nice,' he said. 'Are you cold?'
'Not really?' I responded."
Sesshomaru slammed the book shut and threw it to the floor. He stood, sending Kaori to fall to the floor.
"What was that-" Kaori started, but stopped when she saw his expression. He was mad, but why? She was just reading.
"Burn that book and any like it, understood?" Sesshomaru said, walking out.
"Sesshomaru!" Kaori called out to him. What was his problem? He froze and looked back at her.
"That book was of my father and his human. I do not want to hear of it," Sesshomaru growled.
"Sesshomaru, were you ever curious to how your father fell in love with a human? Didn't he dislike humans like you did?" Kaori asked, standing up after getting the book in hand.
"I'll read it later," he told her. "Can choose one that is not about my father?"
"Yeah, I'll try," Kaori said, leaving the book to the side. She looked at the bookcase. She found one called "Humans and Demons: The Birth of a Half-Demon," and laughed, but she didn't choose it. She instead chose a love story that was fictional and sat down, sharing it with Sesshomaru. He smiled with her and enjoyed how she told it. She was very talented in sharing stories.
Once she was finished, Sesshomaru lightly took the book from Kaori's hands and put it to the side while he kissed her ear.
"Sesshomaru, what is it?" Kaori asked. She felt him nip at her earlobe and she pressed her back against his chest.
"Nothing, dear," he told her, traveling his mouth to her neck. His arms wrapped around her waist, keeping her still. "It's just, you are so talented with your voice. Whether sharing," he said and nipped at her neck, sprouting blood. She yelped, "or yelping."
"Sesshomaru, do you really-" she started and yelped again as he did the same in a different spot on her neck "- want to do this here? With Rin and Jaken in the same building?"
"I don't care if they come running and bug me while we do this. Just as long as I'm with you," he told her. Jaken opened the door of the library, looking for his lord.
"Lord Sesshomaru, are you in here?" He heard another yelped that sounded like Kaori and went running towards her. "Lady Kaori, Lady Kaori..."
He found her head bent back, resting on Sesshomaru's shoulder, panting while Sesshomaru licked and nibbled at her neck. She hand held a fistful of his hair, squirming slightly.
"My lord, my lord. Kaori looks like she's in pain!" Jaken exclaimed. Both looked at him and Kaori blushed at bright red. Her head raised back up and she hid her eyes with her hair. Sesshomaru kept his mouth connected to Kaori neck while he glared at Jaken. How dare he interrupt them!
"Didn't you say you wouldn't care if they came in?" Kaori asked, scratching her head.
"I care if they watch and are male," Sesshomaru mumbled into her neck. It was like he refused to remove his mouth from her neck. Kaori smiled and felt Sesshomaru's hands do some exploring on her thighs. She squirmed and brought his lips from her neck to her mouth. He smiled and completely ignored Jaken.
Jaken stood, unable to move. A slight prick of pain hit his skin and he rushed out of there, worried that if he didn't, he would be toast; literally. He heard a scream inside the library, but he knew his lord was with her, so if she screamed, he would take care of it. Little did he know, his lord had been the one who had made her scream.
Kaori and Sesshomaru trained later that day, but had their time of relaxation as the sun set. Kaori danced, unaware of amused eyes watching. Kaori danced in the courtyard of the palace while Sesshomaru watched from upstairs. He never knew Kaori could dance like that. Her eyes were closed and she twirled around like a ballerina. Sesshomaru smelt blood and turned his head to the doorway. A blood-piercing scream was heard for miles and Kaori looked upstairs. Rin!
Kaori ran inside, searching for Rin. Where could she be? She rushed into the kitchen to find Rin on the floor, crying.
"Rin, what's the matter?" Kaori asked, kneeling in front of Rin.
"I'm, I'm bleeding. But I'm not injured. What's happening?" Rin asked, tears falling from her eyes in rivers.
"Oh, Rin. You don't know, do you?" Kaori asked, bring Rin into her arms. "It's ok. This is normal."
"Normal?" Rin asked.
"Is she all right?" Sesshomaru asked, running into the room. Rin and Kaori were the most important people in his life.
"She will be," Kaori answered, rubbing the small girl's back. "She just became a woman."
"I did?" Rin asked, looking up at Kaori.
"Yes. This proves that you are a true woman," Kaori said.
"But how do you stop it?" Rin asked.
"What are you talking about?" Sesshomaru asked. He then saw a small puddle of blood forming under Rin. "She's bleeding!"
Kaori explained everything to Sesshomaru and Rin. In the end, Rin was smiling at Kaori and ran towards her room while Sesshomaru sat back on his arms, blinking a few times. He never thought women were so complicated. He just thought they had different body parts, could give birth and that was about it. But Kaori explained everything to Rin. Sesshomaru had also listened, his eyes going wide every few sentences.
"Well, we need someone to clean this up and I need to get back," Kaori said, standing up. Sesshomaru saw a long and pleasurable view underneath the kimono.
"Kaori, do you really need to?" Sesshomaru asked, smiling before Kaori flattened the kimono to her body.
"You had your fun earlier," Kaori said, walking away. "Plus, I really would like to get back."
"You prefer dancing than me?" Sesshomaru asked, getting to his feet.
"If only I could get rid of you," Kaori sighed and felt him grab her wrist. "What is it with you grabbing my wrist instead of my hand?"
He moved his grasp from her wrist to her hand and pulled her to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled.
"I truly never thought women were so complicated," Sesshomaru admitted to her.
"Well, we are," Kaori sighed, comfortable in his arms.
"You must be tired," he said, hearing her yawn.
"I am," Kaori told him. He led her to the room and tucked her into bed before joining her. He was tired as well. Both fell asleep about the same time.